John 17:20 – “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Jesus expands His prayer beyond His immediate disciples. Up until now, He has been praying specifically for the twelve who followed Him. But here, He prays for all future believers—everyone who would come to faith in Him through the message of His disciples.

This is incredible because it means Jesus was praying for us—His followers today. His prayer wasn’t just for Peter, John, and the others sitting with Him that night, but for every person throughout history who would hear the gospel and believe.

The phrase “those who will believe in me through their message” highlights the power of the gospel. The disciples would preach, write letters, and spread Jesus’ teaching, and through their work, millions would come to faith. This verse shows that faith comes through hearing the message of Christ (Romans 10:17).

It also shows that Jesus had confidence in His disciples’ mission. Even though they would face hardship, their testimony would lead many to salvation.

Historical Context

Jesus prayed this on the night before His crucifixion. He had spent three years teaching and preparing His disciples, and now He was about to leave them. They would soon be responsible for carrying His message to the world.

At this time, Christianity did not exist yet. The disciples were just a small group of men who had followed Jesus, and they were about to face great opposition. The Jewish leaders wanted to silence them, and the Roman government would later persecute them. Yet, despite all of this, Jesus knew that their testimony would spread, and many would believe.

The early church, which began after Jesus’ resurrection, grew rapidly because of the preaching of His disciples. This verse reminds us that Jesus foresaw this movement and prayed for every believer who would come to faith through their efforts.

Theological Implications

This verse reveals several important truths:

1. Jesus’ Concern for Future Believers – He wasn’t just focused on the present but had every future follower in mind (Hebrews 7:25).
2. The Gospel is Meant to Spread – Faith is passed from one generation to the next through the message of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20).
3. Faith Comes Through Hearing the Gospel – The disciples’ testimony would be the foundation for others to believe (Romans 10:17).
4. The Church is Built on the Apostles’ Teaching – The early church grew because of the message passed down from the first disciples (Acts 2:42).

Literary Analysis

John 17 is Jesus’ prayer to the Father, and this verse marks a transition. Up until this point, He has been praying for Himself (John 17:1-5) and His disciples (John 17:6-19). Now, He shifts His focus to all who will come to faith in the future.

The phrase “not for them alone” shows that Jesus’ mission was always bigger than the twelve disciples. His ministry was never meant to stay in one place—it was meant to spread across the world.

The phrase “through their message” is also significant. The gospel would not be spread by Jesus alone; He was entrusting His mission to His followers. Their words and testimony would be the means by which others would believe.

This prayer reflects Jesus’ confidence in the power of His message. He knew that even though He was about to die, His work would continue through His followers.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
• Matthew 28:19-20 – Jesus commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations.
• Acts 1:8 – Jesus tells His followers that they will be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.
• Ephesians 2:19-20 – Believers are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is deeply encouraging because it shows that Jesus was praying for us. Before we were even born, He had us in mind. He knew that we would come to faith through the message of His disciples, passed down through Scripture and the preaching of the gospel.

It also reminds us that faith is not meant to be kept to ourselves. The gospel spreads from person to person, generation to generation. If we believe in Jesus today, it is because someone shared the message with us. Now, it is our turn to share it with others.

This verse challenges us to ask: Are we faithfully passing on the message of Christ? Jesus prayed for those who will believe—this means there are still more people waiting to hear the gospel. Our role is to continue spreading the good news so that others may come to faith.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse reveals God’s love in a powerful way. Jesus was not just concerned with those who were with Him at that moment—He was thinking about every future believer. This shows the depth of His love and His desire for all people to come to know Him.

God’s love is not limited by time or geography. He knew that the message of salvation would spread across centuries and continents, reaching people from every nation. His love is so great that He prepared a way for all who believe to be included in His kingdom.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse highlights Jesus’ role as:

• The One Who Intercedes for Believers – He prays not only for His disciples but for all who will believe (Hebrews 7:25).
• The One Who Sends His Followers on a Mission – The gospel spreads through His disciples’ message (Matthew 28:19-20).
• The One Who Sees Beyond the Present – Jesus was thinking about future generations of believers (Isaiah 53:10-11).
• The Foundation of Our Faith – Our belief is built on the testimony of the first disciples, who were witnesses of His resurrection (Acts 4:33).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus prayed for you before you were even born?
2. In what ways has the message of Jesus been passed down to you?
3. How can you continue the mission of sharing the gospel with others?
4. What does this verse teach us about the importance of passing on our faith?
5. How can we trust in Jesus’ prayer for future believers when we face challenges in sharing the gospel?

John 17:20 is a beautiful reminder that Jesus’ mission was always bigger than His immediate followers. He prayed for every believer who would come to faith, including us today. As we reflect on His words, may we take up the responsibility to continue spreading His message so that even more people can experience the hope and salvation found in Him.